((( XxButterflyxX )))
The responsibilities of parenthood are difficult and sometimes seem overwhelming. When the father doesn't help, you're left with the children and responsibilities 24/7. I totally understand. Although I only had one child, no one helped me and I had her 24/7 and needed a break.
Depression is very draining of energy and the children are also draining of your energy. You certainly do need a break. I'm thinking that if you had any friends or family who might be willing to help, that you'd already have thought of that. Do you know someone who has one or more children the same age as one of yours. At one point, I found a family who a child about the same age as mine and we switched off every other week, keeping each other's child.
I don't know much about your situation. Is it possible for you to get a small part-time job? Even if all the pay went to pay for care, at least you'd have a break away from the children for awhile on a regular basis.
How old are your children? Is the father in your community and just refuses to help out? (that's my guess -- very irresponsible) I'm sure that you're feeling very stuck right now and just want to scream. Let me know about the ages and maybe I can help you out with some pointers to make your life a little bit easier.
Iowa

Ahhh I want to SCREAM!!!! Im having trouble putting my youngest one to bed as usual *sigh* I dunno how can I get through it, am so looking forward to have the weekend off but had agurement with my ex's mother about whoms responsibilty to drop or pick the kids up every 2nd fri, she said its my responsibilty to drop them off they live 40mins drive away I feel if he is bothered to see the boys he SHOULD pick them up like most father does.
I have no choice but drop boys off at my ex';s tmw because i need a break so badly I feel he is controlling me :( :(

Iowa- My kids are 2 half and 4 yr old

Hi Butterfly

It really can be very hard to be a single mother to two very young kids that are so close together.
I know that you have to drive to drop them off, but you really could do with the break.
I have 2 kids, 3 and 5 years old. I also battle to get them to go to bed.
I have a few things that I do to help with that, although it does not always work. Lol

If you need any tips on how to get some you time, let me know.

Trace

Trace yes please!!!

XxButterflyxX, A going-to-bed routine can help a lot. Something like a bath, get ready for bed, a story while snuggling on your lap, lay down, and sing a lullaby. It should have a least 3-4 things and be consistent every night. If it's one story, read only one story each night. Then, the child needs to stay in bed, even if you have to sit in the room (no back rubs or anything after the child gets up or cries. You just say, it's bed time now and put the child back in bed. Once you've said that once or twice, just keep putting the child back in bed. Try to stay neutral, not cold, just not upset and not offering comforting after the routine is over. It sometimes takes 2-3 nights, but the child will catch on that nothing s/he does will be "rewarded" but not feel they are being punished. It's worth an hour or two of frustration to get the routine down pat and the child to abide by it.
Make sure it's a reasonable bedtime and that the child has had plety of exercise that afternoon. Also, no sugary eats for at least 3-4 hours before bed.
Trace probably has some magic secrets.
Iowa

Hi Butterfly

Iowa gives some good advise.
I bath my kids, give them dinner and then let them watch a little tv. I have an exact time I put them to bed every night. About 30 minutes before bed time, I tell them that soon its bed time and the tv will go off. I don't give them anything to drink before they go to sleep, otherwise they use the excuse of going to the bathroom to get out of bed.
At bedtime I turn the tv off, put them in their beds and say goodnight. I talk to them a little and they may not go to sleep immediately, but they don't get out of their beds. If they do, I put them back in.
Basically, I take away all distractions, toys, tv, ect, so that they calm down and know that they should sleep.

Before I started doing this, I had awful problems of them continually getting out of bed until 10 at night. Now they are asleep inside 20 minutes of them going to bed.

Trace

Thanks girls very much for your advices!! Im trying it at the moment, I dont think my boy like it very much haha he is about to give up after 30mins, fingers crossed!!!

Hi Butterfly

I am crossing my fingers for you. Sometimes the first few days can be really hard, but then all of a sudden it sinks in with them and you never look back.

Good luck!

Trace